LT1 durablity?
I run the **** out of my Z28, its got 135k on it, still running strong, at about 125k my water pump went out and leaked on my Opti, that sucked, had to change Opti and waterpump. Also had to change intake gasket, and fuel pump soon after that. 
My beater is a '94. It has just passed 125k on the clock. I just spent the last two mornings underneath my car changing the water pump. Luckily the opti was spared. I hate driving my 
'02 in anything but clear weather so the wrenching @ 4am in 30degree weather in the few hours before work was mandatory. Other than that I've had no problems with my LT1. I bought it with 94 k and put full bolt-ons, raped it heavily-daily, before I got the 'hawk and decided that my '94 was no longer the "whip". I drive it easy now and I think it has at least another 40k before I'll even THINK about a rebuild. 
'02 in anything but clear weather so the wrenching @ 4am in 30degree weather in the few hours before work was mandatory. Other than that I've had no problems with my LT1. I bought it with 94 k and put full bolt-ons, raped it heavily-daily, before I got the 'hawk and decided that my '94 was no longer the "whip". I drive it easy now and I think it has at least another 40k before I'll even THINK about a rebuild. 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
Originally Posted by jocko
are they more reliable than the ls1?
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 1
From: HighDesert California
well ive got 134k miles on her. i cant possibly count all the money ive dropped in her just keepin her running. the LT1 motor itself has had not a problem, its the rest of her. everything from taillights, windowmotors, blinker, headlights, fog lights, fuelrail, optispark, rebuilt rearend, rebuilt tranny, new driveshaft, broke and replaced front sway bar, now on the 3rd waterpump, new radiator, heater core, and custom fan switch.. just to name a small few. why i put up with her.. a mystery.
Originally Posted by jocko
are they more reliable than the ls1?
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Verdad Gallardo I am pretty partial to the LT1.
I turned 163K on mine before I rebuilt it.
I have had 2 different cams in it since 121K and ran over 400lb's of nitrous through it. I Installed the CC306 when I turned 156k and ran strong until I rebuilt it. It was running 7.9's @90mph in the 1/8 on motor. Only reason I rebuilt it, because I picked up a 383 stroker rotating assembly for cheap!
When I tore the old assembly down the bearings and piston were still in great shape. The cylinder walls were perfect. The only oil it used was what dripped past the rear main.
I turned 163K on mine before I rebuilt it.
I have had 2 different cams in it since 121K and ran over 400lb's of nitrous through it. I Installed the CC306 when I turned 156k and ran strong until I rebuilt it. It was running 7.9's @90mph in the 1/8 on motor. Only reason I rebuilt it, because I picked up a 383 stroker rotating assembly for cheap!
When I tore the old assembly down the bearings and piston were still in great shape. The cylinder walls were perfect. The only oil it used was what dripped past the rear main.
I recently aquired a 95 Roadmaster Wagon with 172K on the clock, motor looks to have never been touched, tranny feels like it has been worked on though. Drives like a dream and runs smooth as could be.
Originally Posted by METALBEAST
LT1s are Gen 2 small block chevy engines AKA SB2. Thus, my signature
Ive been under the assumption this entire time that the gens are the body make such as 1st gen= 1967-1969, 2nd Gen=1970-1981, 3rd Gen=1982-1992, 4th Gen= 1993-2002!
So now we have Gens for our motors??
Yeah, otherwise we would say I have a 5.7L in my camaro what pushrods do I need and you could get at least 4 different answers that while all could be right only one would be right for your 5.7. The pre-LT1 stuff is all called gen1 even though they changed the crank seal and added roller cam provisions, the LT1, LT4 and L99 are the second generation and the LS1 line of motors including the tuck engines and LS6 is gen3. Really though the LT1 should be considered a generation of the original smallbolck but the LS1 is a whole new design. Sort of like calling the Ford modular motors gen4 flatheads, built by the same conpany years later but that is all they share.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 267
From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
OK, the gen 1 sbc are the old style type motors even when in 87 they went roller. the Gen2 are the LT1's, reverse flow cooling etc, the Gen 3 are like the LS1's today. Symetrical runners differrent block, yatta, yatta. Not body styles. The Gen ? in body styles refer to Camaros, thus being 67-69 Gen1, 70-81 Gen 2, 82-92 = 3, 93-02 = gen 4
Originally Posted by SAPPER
OK, the gen 1 sbc are the old style type motors even when in 87 they went roller. the Gen2 are the LT1's, reverse flow cooling etc, the Gen 3 are like the LS1's today. Symetrical runners differrent block, yatta, yatta. Not body styles. The Gen ? in body styles refer to Camaros, thus being 67-69 Gen1, 70-81 Gen 2, 82-92 = 3, 93-02 = gen 4
I suppose it would simplify things if they called the f-body like they do the Vette(c5 for example) instead of gen use "f" and have f1-4 and hopefully soon an f-5. 
